James Hope assumed the role of Mission Director at USAID/Kosovo in November 2014. He previously served as Deputy Mission Director at USAID/Afghanistan from October 2013 to October 2014. Mr. Hope is a Senior Foreign Service Officer with 20 years of experience working on international development programs with USAID.

Prior to Afghanistan, Mr. Hope served as Deputy Mission Director at USAID/Kenya (2008-2013), helping oversee a program focused on Presidential and Agency initiatives including Feed the Future, Global Health (PEPFAR), and the Horn of Africa Joint Planning Cell on drought resilience. In 2007-2008, he headed the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) Office at USAID/Afghanistan, responsible for civil-military cooperation with US and NATO military partners. Earlier, he served at USAID/Indonesia (2001-2007), where he led a Presidential initiative to improve basic education and worked on tsunami recovery.

Before joining USAID’s Foreign Service in 2000, Mr. Hope worked as a Program Officer at USAID/Bosnia (1995-1999) supporting implementation of the Dayton Peace Accords; and at USAID/Poland (1994-1995) supporting Poland’s transition to democracy and economic reform process.

Mr. Hope was born in New York, grew up in Boston, and currently calls Austin, Texas home. He received a Bachelor’s Degree in History from American University and a Master’s Degree in Russian and East European Studies from Yale University. He speaks Polish. He has a daughter, Katherine.